metformin questions

got the go-ahead to start metformin, but i have a few questions:

1. i was told to take 1 pill a day for 7 days and then switch to 2 per day. does that sound right? Do I take the 2 a day both with dinner or one in the am and one at night?

2. alcohol is a no-no with metformin, right? or is it okay in moderation?

3. Dr. said it was fine to start this midcycle (currently on cd 70+)...so what happens? Will this help me get AF or will I still need to take provera for that?


tia

Re: metformin questions

1. I started the same way. It's to help your body get adjusted to the medicine. The first week I did have some gas pains, but they went away by the time I started the second pill. Some women don't experience any discomfort. I think most women take both pills with dinner. I'm positive he prescribed you extended release, so that should be totally fine. I take one with breakfast and one with dinner.

2. I don't drink at all on the metformin. I was never a big drinker anyway, but I completly cut it out when I started IF treatment. I think it would be ok in moderation.

3. Totally fine to start midcycle. Most likely, nothing will happen because it can take 3 months or so to see any results from the met. I guess it is possible for you to get AF, but you might still need provera.

Good luck!

Re: metformin questions

In the beginning, the metformin made me a little queasy, and even now, after I have been on it for months, I still get nauseous if I eat too many carbs or too much sugar.

I don't normally drink, but I read that you are supposed to not drink too much when you are taking the metformin. I have had a beer or two on special occasions and I have not had any adverse effects.

Re: metformin questions

1. I started the same, but added another pill on the 3rd week. Unfortunately, I did have a bad reaction to the pills, made me really sick. On the upside I lost about 5 pounds in a month.

2. I didn't have any, I was too sick. But I was advised to have it in moderation.

3. It really doesn't affect your cycle so it is ok to take midcycle.

HTH

Re: metformin questions

1. i was told to take 1 pill a day for 7 days and then switch to 2 per day. does that sound right? Do I take the 2 a day both with dinner or one in the am and one at night?

this sounds correct. you build up because with some people it can bother your stomach at first so you build up slowly. i take all of mine at night.


2. alcohol is a no-no with metformin, right? or is it okay in moderation?

i was never told this. i always drank wine on it. never had an issue. but i also had no negative side effects. if you have GI issues from it im sure you are better off staying away from alcohol.


3. Dr. said it was fine to start this midcycle (currently on cd 70+)...so what happens? Will this help me get AF or will I still need to take provera for that?

you will likely need provera. metformin takes 3 months to be fully effective. it never made my cycle normal even after months of taking it. its still supposed to help with lots of other issues, but dont expect it to def regulate your cycle. for some people it does, and some it doesnt. if you dont have insulin resistance to begin with (i dont) then in most cases i dont think it will dramatically give you a normal length cycle.

Message edited 1/19/2011 5:26:53 PM.

Re: metformin questions

thanks ladies. I actually just spoke to the dr. and he wants me to start provera at the same time so i can bring on my period and get started with a medicated cycle.

thanks for the help!

Re: metformin questions

1. I did the same thing. One for 7 days, then 2. I take two together, at dinner, and have no side effects.

2. I asked Dr. B about alcohol, b/c my metformin came labeled with "do not take alcohol with this medication." He told me that I can have a little bit, i.e. one glass of wine.

3. I'm no help with question 3. My cycle only became shorter once I started with femara.